Crankin' It Up

This week, Harry has a bad cold; listen to what the doctor says about that! Comedy worked at a slower pace eighty years ago.

The Brunswick disc is the flip side of last week's obscure number. This song should be more familiar to everyone.

Range Time

The August E-Postal match has begun! This month is different, and participants must shoot at a 4 inch bullseye five times as quickly as possible, shoot at a second bullseye five times, and repeat. I am more of a deliberate shooter, so I am not a threat to anyone else's pride. I drove up to see Mom today and she had her range bag packed and ready when I arrived. Neither one of us turned in a stellar performance at the thirty foot contest distance, but after we had shot our targets for the record, Mom let fly with a couple of magazines at 15 feet. She put every shot on the paper, and very quickly, too. She really likes her little Walther.

Now, click on the link, read the rules, print your targets, and go have fun at the range.

Boomer

One of the treats we always enjoy at the Boonville, Indiana show is listening to the big Fairbanks Morse engines on permanent display. This engine is a single cylinder Diesel, and the noise it makes when it starts is impressive. The operator cuts off the fuel a couple times in this video clip, and then turns it on again after the engine has slowed down. Sometimes it blows smoke rings.

Pink Palace Project Update

When we last visited this project I was stuck up on the roof.

The old play house needed a new floor and a base to put it on, a new roof, and lots of parts in between the top and bottom.

Scooter is checking out the progress.

It is nearly finished now, needing just a few finishing touches inside. It ought to be good for another fifty years.

Not My Victrola

Here is our old friend Frank Crumit performing a lighthearted number that is guaranteed to help you get going on Monday.

Monday Again!

Back to the old grind!.....Rats! I killed it! Maybe Tuesday will be better.

Crankin' It Up: WWI Commemorative Edition

Henry Burr performs a tear jerker for those at home.

Weekend Steam

This weekend's steam post is some video that we shot last week over at Boonville, Indiana. This is a Keck-Gonnerman engine running the sawmill. The engineer has just started the engine and the petcocks are open as it warms up. Watch the first segment closely and you will see him open the throttle and close the petcocks. There is lots of good stack talk when the sawyer is cutting.

Crankin' It Up

Tonight's Harry Lauder special is 'The Wee Hoose 'Mang The Heather,' a sentimental song that I know you will enjoy. '...You've only got to see her to love her...'

Our second selection is one that we have played to death in our home. 'Down On The Farm' is a lighthearted song that fits right into our life in the country. 'Snappy stories every night, oh boy!'

The Weekend Is Coming!

Do you know where the nearest steam show is? This engine will be at the Western Illinois Thresherman Show two and a half miles north of Hamilton, Illinois.

You can find one in your neighborhood by going here.